Coping with a Crisis

With the current state of affairs as they are and no discernible end in sight, it’s entirely understandable that the situation we are in is as unsettling as the actual pandemic itself.

The not-knowing is what upsets people the most, because we humans thrive on predictability. All anyone wants to know is ‘when can life resume as normal again?’

When can we hug and hold our loved ones, our friends, our neighbours? When can we have a conversation with someone outside of our immediate family without having to observe the 2m rule? When can we have another person inside our home that isn’t just us?

If you’re accustomed to having household staff, to having people around your home, a private chef, a butler, for example, it can be even more unnerving having to deal with this situation on your own, or at least have help, but at a distance.

Of course, no one can predict what is going to happen tomorrow, or next week. We can’t possibly live our lives absolutely certain of what is going to happen every minute of every day.

But worrying about what might be or what might happen, is wholly unproductive, not to mention bad for one’s health.

Building resilience takes time

When you stretch an elastic band as far as it will go, it will snap back into shape quickly, and that is precisely what resilience is – learning how to bounce back to be yourself again when you’ve been stretched beyond all recognition.

Resilience isn’t something that we have endless supplies of, nor is it something we’re necessarily born with. In fact, resilience isn’t something you have, it’s something you do. It’s how you respond when the chips are down.

Resilience is how you discover your inner strength and expand your ability to thrive and weather any storm. As Robert Frost said, ‘the only way out is through’.

So how do you get through a crisis?

Focus on what is important

When you’re trying to pick up the pieces following a crisis, such as a global health pandemic, don’t try and resume life as it was before, pretending that nothing has happened, this isn’t healthy, nor is it practical, life isn’t the same.

Take time to acknowledge that things have changed, except that you’ve got to adapt, because being able to adjust and roll with the punches is what builds up our resilience levels.

Give yourself time – scale back your responsibilities to just the basics and focus on what’s important to you. Save your energy solely for what needs to be done, and leave any non-urgent matters until a later date.

Conserving your energy and preserving your physical and mental health right now are your top priorities.

Talk to love ones

Talking is a great way of processing feelings and figuring out what’s happened. And just because we can’t physically be with one another at the moment doesn’t mean we can’t still stay in touch.

Lighten your worry load by talking through your concerns with a friend – a problem shared is a problem halved and all that. And the chances are your friends have worries and concerns of their own – so be a sounding board to one another.

Remember, you aren’t going through this on your own. Just because we’re physically isolated, we’re all in this together.

Look after yourself

Don’t make your situation worse by not taking care of yourself. Just because you can’t have a private chef come in everyday and ensure you’re eating healthily, doesn’t mean you can’t eat well.

Why not arrange for a personal chef to prepare your meals away from your home and drop them off outside your door?

Or take the time to learn a new skill – cooking for example. You don’t need to become a Cordon Bleu chef overnight, but if you have time on your hands, perhaps now might be the perfect opportunity to learn how to make your favourite dish.

Sleep and partaking in regular exercise are also ways you can look after yourself, so make sure you’re getting decent sleep and do make the effort to go outside, even if it’s just for a walk. The fresh air will do you a world of good.

Do something you enjoy

Just because you can’t get out to socialise, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the company of your friends from the comfort of your own sofa. And what’s to stop you all from trying something new, together, for example a virtual wine tasting? You’ll have fun and it’ll help relieve some stress.

Be kind to yourself

Be patient, we all deal with a crisis in our own individual ways. Thinking negatively isn’t a sign of weakness, and there is no ‘right’ way to handle these things. Just because you see others around you seemingly keeping it together, doesn’t mean you have to rush, plus, they might not be coping well at all – we all have a tendency to put on a brave face when necessary.

Blues Agency

If you’re worried about how you’re going to cope long term, get in touch with Blues Agency London and find out how hiring household staff can help you through a crisis.